Premium quality in a comfortable package. 

If Velocio’s “made in Italy” tagline (and name) gave you the impression that the brand focuses mainly on road cycling you wouldn’t be alone. But, while Velocio has a strong background in the dropped-bar, shaved-leg world, the brand has been making a concerted effort in recent years to become a player in the mountain bike market as well. Velocio launched its first mtb-focused garment line back in 2018, and has made a more recent push in the off-road space, so you'll find Dan Booker wearing Veolcio gear on EDR podiums, and it's worb by Ben Hildred as he Everests his way through life.

I’ve been riding in the brand’s Ultralight Trail Pant, Access Short, and Access Long Sleeve Jersey this summer, and would summarize my impressions as “good, fine, and absolutely excellent” with each piece respectively.

Velocio Access Long Sleeve Jersey Details

• Sizes Available: XS-4XL
• Materials: 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane
• Price: $119

Velocio Ultralight Trail Pant Details

• Sizes Available: XS-4XL
• Materials: 79% Polyamide, 21% Elastane
• Price: $209

Velocio Access Short Details

• Sizes Available: XS-4XL
• Materials:90% Polyamide, 10% Elastane
• Price: $189

Velocio Summer Kit Fit, Features, and Performance

Let’s start with the jersey and work our way down. For reference throughout this piece, I’m 6’2” tall and 200 lbs. I typically wear XL tops and Large bottoms for my 33” waist and 34” inseam. All of the Velocio pieces I’ve used have fit true to size, and I’ll give some specific fit notes about each.

The Access Long Sleeve Jersey is my favorite bike jersey I’ve ever owned. It fits true to size, with plenty of length to cover my lower back when I’m descending. On paper it’s another synthetic long-sleeve jersey. In practice it’s incredibly light and breathable, while also resisting the funk that so often pervades synthetic riding tops.

Velocio makes an even lighter long sleeve jersey, but the Access version uses body-mapped fabric to add durability in key areas (the arms and elbows.) This summer I’ve been making a conscious effort to take care of my skin and wear a long sleeve jersey most days. The Access is the most comfortable, most breathable jersey I’ve used on hot sweaty days. And when I sweat through it it dries quickly and somehow still doesn’t smell funky. If I could just wear this jersey, I happily would. Unfortunately it does need to be washed sometimes, so I have to wear other ones on occasion. 

Durability wise, it’s been solid, and has shrugged off plenty of brushy bushwacks. I did take a hard crash in it recently where I ended up sliding about fifteen feet on my back down a rocky chute. I ended up with a hole in the back of the jersey, but given how cut up my back was, I expected much worse. This jersey is not cheap, but, honestly, I’ve got another one in my shopping cart right now with my mouse hovering over “order now.”

The Access Shorts are also good, but quite as class leading as the jersey. They’ve got a typical “trail” fit - not quite as baggy and long as enduro shorts, but plenty long to cover most kneepad gaps. These fall right in line with Large shorts from most other brands in terms of waist. They’re a little loose on my 33” waist, but a little tight across my glutes. They do have belt loops so it’s easy enough to dial in their fit.

The pocket layout is also pretty traditional - hand pockets as well as zippered thigh pockets for your phone or wallet. Like the Access jersey, the standout here is the materials and construction. These shorts feel premium, like somebody really got deep into the weeds with the details, which is always a plus.

Finally, the Ultralight Trail Pant. These pants fit similarly to the Access shorts. I’ve got a tiny bit of extra space in the waist, although they’ve got a more generous booty, thigh, and knee cut than some other options in this space. There’s plenty of space under these pads for the bulkiest pads.

These pants stand out, similarly to the jersey, as being absurdly lightweight. The first time I rode in them I thought I’d left the crotch open because there was so much airflow through my crotch. The laser cut ventilation in the inner thigh moves a lot of air very effectively and the fabric is so lightweight that it feels barely there.

While these pants do have a PFA-free DWR coating, they’re definitely not a foul weather option. I’ve worn them on rides where I knew we’d be hiking or riding through thick brush, and they do a great job of shrugging off vines and bushes, but they’d quickly soak through if you were riding in real moisture.